Below is a somewhat comprehensive wrap up of our recent local 2014 Primary results. On a less local level we had met with State Board of Equalization Candidate Diane Harkey and were early supporters of her campaign whose district will encompass all or parts of Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She was the second highest vote getter due to the more crowded field of Republicans but by the numbers will in all likelihood dominate in the general to serve as the next BOE representative to replace termed out member Michelle Steel. See the list below for the results of our closer races and candidates that either out right prevailed or made the run off for competitive general election races following, you will find by a few news articles documenting the races and their results if interested.

CD 36 - Brian Nestande Yes!

CD 41 - Steve Adams Yes!

SD 28 - Jeff Stone Yes!

Keep your eyes on the 28th Senate District race. Initially the number two spot was in a tight run off that turned a few times. Glenn Miller held the #2 spot, then Bonnie Garcia in #3 and Democrat Phillip Drucker #4, with Glenn and Bonnie only separated by 82 votes and Drucker down a couple hundred after an update consisting largely of late absentee ballots. The tide eventually turned with Candidate Bonnie Garcia leading her nearest opponent in the race for the #2 spot by over 400 votes and Glenn Miller has conceded. This sets the stage for a continuation of what has already been a bitter contest...stay tuned.

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AD 42 - Chad Mayes Yes!

Supervisor District 2 - John Tavaglione Yes!

Supervisor District 4 - John J. Benoit Yes!

Supervisor District 5 - Marion Ashley Yes!

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff Yes!

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools - Kenneth Young Yes!

Riverside County District Attorney - Paul Zellerbach No

Two things happened here, Firstly, hats off to Mike Hestrin for a hard fought race. His tactics were surgical and he successfully defined himself and his opponent in the eyes of the voters in what was also one of the County’s heated and closely watched contests. Secondly, Zellerbach lost this race as much as Hestrin won and it wasn't for lack of hard work. Zellerbach has done a tremendous job as District Attorney. He's been innovative, collaborative, expected the best from his people and had nothing but a solid positive media image heading into this race polling at the start with 57% support to Mike Hestrin’s 17%. This was unfortunately perfectly analogous to George H.W. Bush’s squandered political capital in 1992, and all because of a sign and a questionable handling of the issue in its aftermath. I would have handled this one a little differently but 20/20 hindsight proves nothing. I highly respect Paul for the work he's done and it’s unfortunate that he didn't get an opportunity to continue his endeavors here and secure a legacy.

We stayed out of the race below given the nature of its toxicity and looming legal challenges facing the City. As a background, several council members have fallen under scrutiny as a result of relationships with a particular local commercial/industrial developer. One former Mayor, Marcelo Co has been indicted for bribery, embezzling and of all things fraudulently collecting money from the state to care for his “ailing” mother all while she was jet setting around the globe. Now a second Mayor, Tom Owings has been recalled and there’s a possibility of a third councilmember, Victoria Baca being recalled in November. Lastly, a fourth controversially appointed “Councilmember”, Yxstivian Gutiérrez was appointed at a council meeting where it wasn’t placed on the agenda (likely Brown Act Violation), one councilmember apparently was completely unaware of who he was and there was no transparent process of application, much less a process at all as it seems. It is also disputed as to whether or not he lives in the appropriate district he was appointed to serve. If I lost you somewhere don’t feel bad, you are not alone. Mr. Gutiérrez was initially considering a run to serve with me on the Riverside Community College Board of Trustees and we thankfully dodged a bullet there.

Moreno Valley Recall... Pass Yes!

Replacement – George Price

STATE ASSEMBLY: Hargrove, Mayes advance to November election

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Marc Steinorth, a Republican, and Democratic Assemblyman Jose Medina of Riverside also make it out of Tuesday’s primary.

BY JEFF HORSEMAN / STAFF WRITER

Published: June 4, 2014 Updated: 4:52 p.m.

Voters in at least three Inland Assembly districts chose a Republican and a Democrat to square off in November, according to results from Tuesday’s primary election.

Morongo Unified School District trustee Karalee Hargrove, a Democrat, will face Republican and former Yucca Valley Councilman Chad Mayes in the 42nd Assembly District, which straddles Riverside and San Bernardino counties and represents Hemet, San Jacinto, the Pass, Yucaipa, Palm Springs and Yucca Valley...

ELECTION: Supervisors Tavaglione, Ashley re-elected; Benoit leads

Three seats are up for re-election on the Board of Supervisors, with incumbents leading in early returns

BY DAVID DOWNEY / STAFF WRITER

Published: June 3, 2014 Updated: June 4, 2014 7:12 a.m.

Two Riverside County supervisors held onto their seats in Tuesday’s primary election, and a third was well ahead of his challenger.

Supervisors John Tavaglione and Marion Ashley easily won new four-year terms on the county’s governing board.

And John Benoit held a comfortable lead by Wednesday morning, with the votes from 100 percents of precincts counted, but about 39,700 vote-by-mail, provisional and damaged ballots left to be processed, according to the Riverside County registrar of voters...

ELECTION: Supervisor candidates party in the desert

Despite early returns that said Manuel Perez was falling behind John Benoit in the race for 4th District supervisor, partygoers clapped and chanted: “Si, se puede” (Yes, we can) when a television crew showed up at Sol Sports Restaurant in Coachella on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. (Luke Ramseth/Staff)

At a luxury home in a gated community just outside Indio, political-minded partygoers chatted by the pool, grabbed drinks from an outside bar and snacked on baked goods in the kitchen.

It was mostly an election night party for veteran politician and 4th District Supervisor incumbent John Benoit, though it also included tag-alongs Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, making a run in the 36th Congressional District, and Yucca Valley native Chad Mayes, gunning for a 42nd District State Assembly seat...